Trump attorney Alan Dershowitz allegedly faces another encounter over a pierogi stand incident, this time charged with 'misgendering' the stand's chef.
In the picturesque town of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, a heated dispute has arisen between civil liberties lawyer Alan Dershowitz and a local pierogi stand at the West Tisbury Farmers Market. The controversy stems from an incident where Dershowitz claims he was refused service due to his political views.
Despite Dershowitz's assertion that such refusal is illegal under Massachusetts law, legal experts have clarified that discrimination claims on political grounds are not recognised in public accommodation laws in the state. This incident highlights a current legal gap: while discrimination is illegal based on several protected classes, political ideology is not protected under Massachusetts public accommodation law.
The dispute began when Dershowitz, a prominent lawyer who has represented high-profile figures such as Jeffrey Epstein and President Donald Trump, wore a shirt that read "Proud American Zionist" and was refused service. The pierogi stand defended its actions on social media, citing a "legally-justified decision to not sell pierogies to Alan Dershowitz."
The incident escalated after Dershowitz was refused service a second time, allegedly due to his politics. Dershowitz has since pursued legal action against the farmers' market in response to the refusal of service. The dispute escalated further due to an alleged misgendering of the pierogi stand's chef and a subsequent correction.
Dershowitz, who has a history of frequenting the farmers' market every Wednesday for decades, reminded the pierogi vendor that Massachusetts law prohibits refusing service based on race, religion, sexual orientation. He made the same argument when police arrived to escort him away from the pierogi stand. Dershowitz also claims he was turned away while trying to buy pierogies, a type of food his grandmother used to make.
The pierogi stand's chef, Miskevich, stated that Dershowitz being a high-profile attorney who represented sexual predators and abusers, including Jeffrey Epstein, was a factor in their decision. Dershowitz is currently involved in a legal battle with President Donald Trump, adding another layer of complexity to this ongoing controversy.
As the situation unfolds, the question of whether political beliefs should be considered a protected class under Massachusetts public accommodation law remains unanswered. For now, it seems that while socially controversial, there is no Massachusetts legal precedent or specific statute that forbids refusing service based on political views.
- Amidst the ongoing dispute at the West Tisbury Farmers Market in Martha's Vineyard, Dershowitz has been exploring possible legal avenues as he seeks to challenge the pierogi stand's right to refuse service based on political beliefs, given that Massachusetts law protects against discrimination on several grounds, including race, religion, and sexual orientation, but not political ideology.
- In light of the escalating situation, some question if the entertainment industry might step in to provide support for Dershowitz, as celebrities have a history of using their influence to champion causes they believe in, perhaps even fundraising for legal fees or offering platform for his case in order to push for recognition of political ideology as a protected class under Massachusetts public accommodation law.
